Hallelujah! Rock musician Michael Paynter’s first theatrical role is an epic one – Jesus Christ Superstar! I chatted with him about the phenomenal role.
The role of Jesus Christ is what you might call epic. How do you feel about it?
Michael Paynter: Excited and terrified in equal measure. I’m excited about the challenge because theatre is a side of the industry, I haven’t been involved in. Nervous because of the esteem in which this show is held, and what it means to so many. It’s such a great production and very different from what I’ve been involved with.
This is your first musical theatre role, and you’re the lead!
Yes! Jesus Christ Superstar is one of those musicals that attracts people from outside of theatre as opposed to something like Phantom. It’s had singers like Marcia Hines, Angry Anderson, Jon Stevens and even back in the day, Ian Gillon from Deep Purple. They weren’t all necessarily theatre guys, but if there was ever a musical that would involve rock stars, this is the one.
How does one prepare for the role of Jesus?
(Laughing) It’s very hard to assimilate to become Jesus! For me, it’s all about the music. There are two or three portrayals of Jesus in the past that I’m drawn to and I’m listening to their interpretations as well as the original way Andrew Lloyd Webber intended it. To be honest, I’m trying to sing the shit out of it.
Michael Paynter
So, who has been your favourite on-stage Jesus?
John Farnham is top of the list. Being an Aussie kid with a high voice, he’s always been my god, still is and will forever be. I’m also a fan of Steve Balsamo who did the 1996 UK revival. I found his voice and take on the role extraordinary. Then there’s Trevor White, who again as an Australian was fantastic in the role. I play in Icehouse and when they found out about this role, they started referring to me as ‘Trevor’ because all those guys remember the 1972 original!
Have you asked John Farnham for advice?
I’m planning to. I want to reach out and acknowledge his legacy and thank him for what he brought to the role. I need to acknowledge the giant shoes that I’m attempting to fill! Nobody knows the ins and outs of this role more than those who played it. I’ve spoken with Jon Stevens and Kate Ceberano who played Judas and Mary Madeline and they’ve been a great support.
“I was on the side of the stage watching K.D. sing Hallelujah and I was in tears.”
Were you interested in theatre when young?
My parents are pastors of a church that runs a successful theatre company on the Mornington Peninsula. My mum’s a theatre geek and has been from way back and my parents met while doing West Side Story. I think I always shunned theatre because a teenage boy usually does everything his parents didn’t do. But when I told my mum about the Jesus Christ Superstar role, I hadn’t seen her happier – even more so than when I told her I was becoming a father for the first time.
Are you a Jesus man?
I consider myself to be a Jesus man. When I say I’m a Jesus man, and without getting too political about everything, I think a lot of religiosity over history has always been viewed, for better or worse, through the eyes and hearts of broken people. As we all are in this moment now too. We’re all only human. I do my best to follow what Jesus said, which was to love one another. He loved people that many considered to be the outcasts of the time and if I can love like he did, then that’s a great starting point.
Michael Paynter
How did your involvement with the iconic Australian band Icehouse come about?
When I was a recording artist back in the day with Sony, the Icehouse guitarist Paul Gildea was my manager. When the band came out of hiatus in 2011, they needed a swingman, so I auditioned and got the gig!
You’ve worked with a staggering list of artists including Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, The Veronicas, Delta Goodrem, The Script, Hall and Oates, Seal and Miley Cyrus. Has any moment stood out as special?
I’ve been very fortunate that the people I’ve toured with have somewhat become friends. When Hamish and Andy did their national Thank You tour, I played for them at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. While performing, I was looking at U2 on the side of the stage – watching me sing! That was a special moment. There was also the time when I shared backstage with Seal. I mean just sitting in the dressing room watching Jimmy Barnes warm-up is always a pinch-yourself moment. I’ve been very fortunate.
“A song opens a thousand doors, and a great song can change careers.”
And there was Miley Cyrus!
She was awesome. We had a lot of time to catch up together outside of the show and chat. She has a great family and I’ve become friends with two of her brothers. Miley’s a smart person with an amazing voice. I think one of the most overlooked things about Miley Cyrus is what an incredible singer she is.
Do you have a favourite music diva?
I’ve always been drawn to female singers because my voice is high. My favourite artist of all time is Elvis Presley and when I sing along to him, I go up an octave because I have a female voice, but my number one female singer is Bonnie Raitt. A close second would be K.D Lang and third Eva Cassidy. I performed with K.D. at the Fire Fight Australia concert in 2020 playing with Icehouse. I was on the side of the stage watching K.D. sing Hallelujah and I was in tears. I went on next leading into Great Southern Land and I was still crying.
Matt Myers with Michael Paynter and Javon King
Do you have an irresistible burn-the-floor song.?
September by Earth, Wind & Fire. I’ve played in a lot of wedding bands, and I love playing that song. You can’t do a wedding without playing September. It’s kind of an unwritten rule. I’ve played it five times a week for ten years and I still love it – that says something about the quality of the song.
Who has been the greatest inspiration to your career, thus far?
I’ve always gained inspiration from people who are still working toward the end of their careers. I think what they do requires maturity, commitment and a ‘get back up again’ discipline. I’ve always admired that tenacity in artists. I took my wife to see Jimmy Webb who’s my favourite songwriter of all time. To hear him sing songs like Wichita Lineman and Galveston, which have been tried and tested over the decades, was wonderful. That’s what’s inspiring to me rather than the flash-in-the-pan moments.
How would you explain the popularity and longevity of Jesus Christ Superstar?
(Laughing) I’ll be the first to say that I’m not an expert on this! I have much respect for the theatre world and from a musician’s point of view, the music is phenomenal. I’ve spent my life writing pop songs and I know about good songs. A song opens a thousand doors, and a great song can change careers. I think the quality of the songwriting in Jesus Christ Superstar has made the show last.
For more: jesuschristsuperstarmusical.com.au
Follow Michael on Instagram @michaelpaynter
